First, three not so random reference points. On the night of the murders, Jon Stewart opened his show with his head in his hands in seeming distress. He then went on a rant about free speech and satire and tried not so successfully to explain what had happened in Paris. Second, a close relative sent me a terrific article on a web site called "Common Dreams" by a guy named Jack Healey. Oh so thoughtful and anguished. Finally, the recent cover of the New Yorker with a drawing of the Eiffel Tower. The tower is covered in blood at its base and instead of its famous spire, it has a sharpened pencil with blood on it as the top of the tower. You have to see it.
Having said all that, I really struggled with what my words could add and ended up here. The satire magazine Charlie satirized all religions equally--Catholics, Jews, and Muslims. They had anti semitic cartoons/articles; they had anti gay cartoons/ articles; they had anti feminist cartoons/articles. Nothing was sacred but nothing surely should have led to the deaths of the staff members. And yet, after this event and especially after reading the Common Dreams article, I found myself wondering if there is a line that was crossed. The line between pure hatred and satire. I cannot quite define it but I know it when I see it (I stole that from the Supreme Court when they were trying to define pornography). I do not want anyone to make fun of the holocaust; but am I supposed tolerate the same people making fun of Mohamed? How can I be consistent and, quite sadly, can I still be a black and white believer in free speech. Is it ok for the Klan to use the "N" word and call it free speech?
And then there is this--it is intolerable that shoppers in a kosher market were murdered because they were Jewish. I am sick of that shit and even though I do not wish to diminish the murders of the journalists, I feel personally assaulted by the murders of folks who share my religion. I am not sure where to go with this, how to transition to another topic--but for better or worse I am stuck with a heavy heart and some serious soul searching.
Onward:
--Stewart also blasted Obama for not going to Paris and really hated on Eric Holder who was in Paris for god's sake and chose not to attend the memorial.
--Speaking of free speech, we have another one of those bright Texas Congressmen (and there does seem to be an endless supply of them) calling Obama Hitler. Really.
--Obama meanwhile made it clear he will veto the pipeline and today implemented major changes in our travel policies regarding Cuba. (Which of course set off Marc Rubio--the best thing that could happen to him is that even if he wins re-election, he loses Dade County and the votes of the young Cuban Americans who live there) I am ready to return to Cuba and bring back some of that fine aged rum.
--Our fine mayor is now suing the state over the siting of the casino. This will likely push that project way beyond my expiration date.
--Kevin Cullen (a Globe columnist) who was obsessed with Whitey Bulger now has a new boy toy to play
with--the Marathon bomber. And since this trial is likely to last 6 months or so, Cullen can kind of lay back and write 3 columns a week on that.
Go figure cause I cannot--the market goes down even as gas continues to plunge. I am told its about anxiety. Things cannot be this good so lets worry and sell.
--Love this Patty Griffin song title: "Don't Let me Die in Florida". I double down on that.
--Cannot believe my beloved granddaughter is 11--happy birthday belatedly to you.
SPORTS TALK
--Chad Finn, who I have referenced before, kicked Felger and Mazz to the curb in a column last week. A good day for America--kind of like Nick Saban losing.
--The bruins are getting hot and Pastrnak is staying with the big club. There might have been a revolt if he had been sent down.
--The Pats escaped with 14 yards in rushing. Brady was epic but Vollmer and Solder (criticized for much of the year) were terrific in the second half.
--Then there is this: Curt Schilling thinks he did not get into the Hall of Fame because he is a Republican. I almost wish that were true. Go away.
Sayonara.
Friday, January 16, 2015
Wednesday, December 31, 2014
"HAIL TO THE CONQUERING HEROES, HAIL, HAIL TO MICHIGAN"
That's a piece of the Michigan fight song. And you are mistaken if you believe this first paragraph is about sports. It is about priorities. Jim Harbaugh was a quarterback at Michigan in the mid 80's. Ultimately, he became both a college coach (Stanford) and a pro coach (San Francisco). Today, he is the new Michigan football coach at, get this, a salary of $5 million per year. That's likely more than the President of the University. Now you know Michigan is a public university which means that their budget reflects your tax dollars at work. Michigan is just one of a multitude of public universities which pay their football coaches ugly amounts of money. Michigan, it turns out, has the biggest on campus football stadium in America. It seats 110,000 and is nicknamed the "Big House". It has either 6 or 7 home games a year and tickets are in the $40-$50 range. Every game is a sell out so you do the math. The football program, to be fair, is the fuel (along to a lesser extent with the men's basketball program) which allows the lesser sports (including those Title IX programs which have so helped women's athletics) survive and thrive. Without that football revenue, no women's basketball--as an example. In the scope of human endeavors, Michigan football is a pimple on the affairs of the world. So what are the priorities and what should they be and what if they changed and in the end should I care? I will close by saying I know folks who teach in higher ed and I am guessing they do not make 5$ million a year. Point made.
Items:
--As I dropped Anna off at the airport this morning, I thought of the most recent airplane disappearance and cannot imagine what the families of those lost must be experiencing. Glad Jess and her family have returned safely.
--Please explain how the North Face company got the rights to "This Land is Your Land" and are now using it in TV ads? Is Arlo hard up for money?
--There will be a country called Kurdistan in the future--as predicted here first. The combination of their fighting skills on the ground and the coalition bombing is forcing those ISIS lunatics into a retreat. The Turks might not like it but it will happen.
--But we still have the Taliban attempting to take people back into medieval times. I suppose killing over 100 school age children is seen by them as a positive step in their progress towards this goal. I am getting very feisty about this.
--A great Hanukkah for Alan Gross and, truthfully, for a lot of us hoping for normalization with Cuba. In a recent post I wished for this after the Republicans won the mid terms. Obama might as well go for it--he is even reducing the population at Guantanamo. The third generation of Cubans in South Florida support this--the Cuban folks my age are the ones opposing it and, truth be told, they are on the decline due to, ahem, age. Ted Cruz and Lindsay Graham may make life difficult for the Prez as he moves ahead with this effort--but after their initial outrageous outrage, they seem to have faded away to their little hidey holes. Please note that Cruz's family came here before Castro took over so he escaped nothing.
--Loved it that Obama slammed Sony for backing off of the release of Seth Rogen's movie. A stupid movie to be sure but really, the North Koreans have that much influence? Give me a break.
--Great yet distressing article in a recent NY Times magazine about the political situation in Israel. Fingers and other digits crossed that in the upcoming election, Netanyahu is kicked to the curb but I am not optimistic.
--I am a reader of obituaries. I admit it. I also admit being alarmed at the number of folks who pass away and are my age or younger--kind of freaky.
--If you read no further, last year was a sad and painful one for many of us who lost loved ones. Plus, much of the world continues to be out of control. I hope the coming year is a happy, healthy, and peaceful one for you and your families.
SPORTS TALK
--I never liked Rondo--too much of a drama king. Brilliant at times; but I am wondering if Danny told Brad before he was hired that Rondo would be gone. Now, we can argue about whether the Celtics got enough but good riddance.
--No surprises given all the Pats who were inactive last week--they lost. But I admit I am a bit uneasy.
--Rask is not playing out of this world--which given how few goals his teammates put in the net is a big problem. BTW, I continue to believe Lucic is on drugs.
Sayonara.
Items:
--As I dropped Anna off at the airport this morning, I thought of the most recent airplane disappearance and cannot imagine what the families of those lost must be experiencing. Glad Jess and her family have returned safely.
--Please explain how the North Face company got the rights to "This Land is Your Land" and are now using it in TV ads? Is Arlo hard up for money?
--There will be a country called Kurdistan in the future--as predicted here first. The combination of their fighting skills on the ground and the coalition bombing is forcing those ISIS lunatics into a retreat. The Turks might not like it but it will happen.
--But we still have the Taliban attempting to take people back into medieval times. I suppose killing over 100 school age children is seen by them as a positive step in their progress towards this goal. I am getting very feisty about this.
--A great Hanukkah for Alan Gross and, truthfully, for a lot of us hoping for normalization with Cuba. In a recent post I wished for this after the Republicans won the mid terms. Obama might as well go for it--he is even reducing the population at Guantanamo. The third generation of Cubans in South Florida support this--the Cuban folks my age are the ones opposing it and, truth be told, they are on the decline due to, ahem, age. Ted Cruz and Lindsay Graham may make life difficult for the Prez as he moves ahead with this effort--but after their initial outrageous outrage, they seem to have faded away to their little hidey holes. Please note that Cruz's family came here before Castro took over so he escaped nothing.
--Loved it that Obama slammed Sony for backing off of the release of Seth Rogen's movie. A stupid movie to be sure but really, the North Koreans have that much influence? Give me a break.
--Great yet distressing article in a recent NY Times magazine about the political situation in Israel. Fingers and other digits crossed that in the upcoming election, Netanyahu is kicked to the curb but I am not optimistic.
--I am a reader of obituaries. I admit it. I also admit being alarmed at the number of folks who pass away and are my age or younger--kind of freaky.
--If you read no further, last year was a sad and painful one for many of us who lost loved ones. Plus, much of the world continues to be out of control. I hope the coming year is a happy, healthy, and peaceful one for you and your families.
SPORTS TALK
--I never liked Rondo--too much of a drama king. Brilliant at times; but I am wondering if Danny told Brad before he was hired that Rondo would be gone. Now, we can argue about whether the Celtics got enough but good riddance.
--No surprises given all the Pats who were inactive last week--they lost. But I admit I am a bit uneasy.
--Rask is not playing out of this world--which given how few goals his teammates put in the net is a big problem. BTW, I continue to believe Lucic is on drugs.
Sayonara.
Monday, December 15, 2014
"OH RICHARD, IT'S TIME TO COME IN AND RIP THE WHISKERS OFF THE CATS"
That's more or less a direct quote from Dick Cheney's mom. He had been playing out in the yard during a hot summer day in Wyoming. It was now time for him to come in and torture his cats. He practiced a lot so that when he got to the White House, he would know what torture was. I was reminded of this activity when I saw a quote from Dickie regarding the recent report on the CIA: "I would do it again in a minute". He continues to believe water boarding was effective even though the report refutes that in every instance--even going so far as saying it was unrelated to the capture of Osama Bin Laden. I am convinced he is so delusional he does not even know the difference between truth and lies. I am usually not a friend of Senator McCain but since he is the only senator who has been a prisoner of war, he has been worth listening to on this issue. He continues to be very clear--water boarding is torture and it was ineffective. Cheney cannot even hear that. He is a Dick for sure.
Moving on to other important events:
--A terrific picture recently on the CNN website. Big American flag filling up the whole screen in the background. In the foreground, a female solider just returned from Afghanistan. She is in a full open mouth kiss with her partner who, as it happens, is another woman. Wowza--it's the future. Get ready for it or get lost.
--Sitting in a sub shop in the neighborhood. Two women come in with ID tags around their necks. Then I see the cuffs and the handguns. They are plainclothes Boston detectives. It's the future. Get ready for it or get lost.
--And from the Lone Star state we have these items. Teachers are now allowed to carry concealed weapons because it makes the classrooms safer. Not sure what it does for educating the kids. Next, a headline in the Globe: "Brains missing from Texas university". Really? I believe my daughter still has hers so I am not sure what this is about.
--I wouldn't give Mark Wahlberg a pardon if my life depended on it. There are many more deserving folks than him. Having a big name and loads of money should not mean he gets to be first in the pardon line.
--I never thought too much of Lebron James except I knew he was a very good basketball player. But he knows he is a leader not just on the court but off it--so I admire his willingness to wear the "I can't breathe" T-shirt when warming up in Brooklyn last week. A borough away from Staten Island. Btw, another African American young adult killed by another white policeman and another jury unwilling to indict despite the video.
--We all know Cosby did something and deserves to be kicked around. We also know Aaron Hernandez is guilty no matter how many legal technicalities his defense team wins. I wanted to kick his teeth in when I saw a picture of him smiling as the judge threw out a bunch of prosecutable evidence.
--Saw Obama on Colbert last week--very funny and this Thursday is Colbert's last Comedy Central show. Very hard to imagine him on "regular" TV.
--I'm paying under $2.50 for gas and unemployment is better than ever. No matter, it will get ugly when the Republicans take over. Give Ruth Bader Ginsburg strength, my friends.
--Happy Hanukkah, Merry Xmas, and an Enjoyable Kwanzaa. Hope all you atheists have some sort of good holiday as well. Safe trips to all including my darling children one of whom arrives and the other departs this week.
SPORTS TALK
--The Bruins truly suck. I was able to watch nearly a full game over the weekend. I believe Lucic is on drugs and the rest of them just cannot score. BTW, Seguin is leading the league in goals. And they refuse to allow Pastrnak to stay up--not tough enough yet. Yikes.
--The Pats have been terrific and I would give Revis anything he wants to stay with them. He makes the defensive backfield work. Browner has not hurt them yet with all those penalties though I worry he will commit a big one at a bad time.
Sayonara
Moving on to other important events:
--A terrific picture recently on the CNN website. Big American flag filling up the whole screen in the background. In the foreground, a female solider just returned from Afghanistan. She is in a full open mouth kiss with her partner who, as it happens, is another woman. Wowza--it's the future. Get ready for it or get lost.
--Sitting in a sub shop in the neighborhood. Two women come in with ID tags around their necks. Then I see the cuffs and the handguns. They are plainclothes Boston detectives. It's the future. Get ready for it or get lost.
--And from the Lone Star state we have these items. Teachers are now allowed to carry concealed weapons because it makes the classrooms safer. Not sure what it does for educating the kids. Next, a headline in the Globe: "Brains missing from Texas university". Really? I believe my daughter still has hers so I am not sure what this is about.
--I wouldn't give Mark Wahlberg a pardon if my life depended on it. There are many more deserving folks than him. Having a big name and loads of money should not mean he gets to be first in the pardon line.
--I never thought too much of Lebron James except I knew he was a very good basketball player. But he knows he is a leader not just on the court but off it--so I admire his willingness to wear the "I can't breathe" T-shirt when warming up in Brooklyn last week. A borough away from Staten Island. Btw, another African American young adult killed by another white policeman and another jury unwilling to indict despite the video.
--We all know Cosby did something and deserves to be kicked around. We also know Aaron Hernandez is guilty no matter how many legal technicalities his defense team wins. I wanted to kick his teeth in when I saw a picture of him smiling as the judge threw out a bunch of prosecutable evidence.
--Saw Obama on Colbert last week--very funny and this Thursday is Colbert's last Comedy Central show. Very hard to imagine him on "regular" TV.
--I'm paying under $2.50 for gas and unemployment is better than ever. No matter, it will get ugly when the Republicans take over. Give Ruth Bader Ginsburg strength, my friends.
--Happy Hanukkah, Merry Xmas, and an Enjoyable Kwanzaa. Hope all you atheists have some sort of good holiday as well. Safe trips to all including my darling children one of whom arrives and the other departs this week.
SPORTS TALK
--The Bruins truly suck. I was able to watch nearly a full game over the weekend. I believe Lucic is on drugs and the rest of them just cannot score. BTW, Seguin is leading the league in goals. And they refuse to allow Pastrnak to stay up--not tough enough yet. Yikes.
--The Pats have been terrific and I would give Revis anything he wants to stay with them. He makes the defensive backfield work. Browner has not hurt them yet with all those penalties though I worry he will commit a big one at a bad time.
Sayonara
Monday, December 1, 2014
ROPE-A-DOPE
In Muhammad Ali's heyday, he used to lean against the ropes and let the other fighter pound away at him. He covered up and usually never even came away with a bruise. But it did tire the other fighter out enough so Ali could then go on the attack. He utilized this strategy frequently and it usually worked. I believe President Obama needs to do something similar. He needs to do everything that is likely to freak out the Republicans--close Guantanamo, formalize relations with Cuba, make executive appointments and decisions, advocate for climate change--he needs to come off the ropes and attack. Maybe they will get tired; maybe not. But he has no chance of reaching a compromise in these next two years. He should let them shut down the government, sue him for making executive decisions, veto any effort to dismantle the Affordable Care Act. Let the people of color in America know what the Republicans stand for. Let those who now have insurance know the Republicans want to take it away. He has nothing to lose so fuck 'em.
On the other hand all of us should hope that nothing happens to Ruth Ginsburg--the tiny but strong Justice who just had a stent put in. she already has had both pancreatic cancer and colo-rectal cancer. If any of us think the Republicans have blocked everything, watch what happens if there is a vacancy on the Supreme Court.
I am sick and tired of Palestinian terrorism and Netanyahu recalcitrance. The attack in a synagogue killing 4 Rabbis was despicable but the ugly political culture in Israel is alarming as well. Yet another terrific article in the New Yorker by David Remnick about that culture leaves me feeling awfully pessimistic about any kind of stability let alone peace. And Hamas leaders applauded the murders in the synagogue--even after Abbas condemned them which means he cannot even control his own citizens. I'm pretty much out of words on this one.
I am also out of words regarding Ferguson, Missouri. It felt as if we were back in the 60's but without any leaders on the ground. First of all, how can there be a police force in a predominantly black community that has no black police officers. Did they miss the class on diversity? Second, to paraphrase Jeffrey Toobin, what fool decided to announce the decision at night when (hello) it is dark and much more difficult to manage rioters than during daytime. Third, the politicians who brought in the National Guard BEFORE the decision almost guaranteed that something would happen. Finally, to be fair, it is very nearly impossible to get a jury to convict or indict a police officer when they have testified it was a life or death situation. Just a recipe for combustion and that's what we got.
[Just saw a tape of an NFL game played yesterday in St. Louis. Five of the St. Louis Ram black players came out of the dressing room and onto the field with arms raised as if they were being arrested. A terrific piece of public theater especially when it turns out these 5 and other teammates have been in Ferguson all month working with kids. But of course, the police have been offended and want punishment. Hasn't there been enough of that?]
The casino bill was not overturned so I was wrong on that one. But the one in nearby Everett is 5 years away from opening. I actually don't care a bit about it nor do I care about the Olympics though if somehow Boston gets them, I'm outta here for a prolonged vacation.
Two other excellent articles: One in the Globe about a hockey coach who decided not to get a colonoscopy and now has end of life cancer (by Kevin Dupont). Only big time fools decide against them. Second article in last week's New Yorker about Angela Merkel basically arguing that she is the most powerful woman in the world.
SPORTSTALK
The son of "He of the Ancient Friendship" is coordinating the Pan Am games for the city of Toronto. A monumental task and one which will allow all venues to be re-used. The Pats loss yesterday was tough especially the first half. Gronk has to make that catch in the end zone in the second half and the defense forced 4 field goals which should have been enough. I worry about San Diego and a let down. They did have a great run.
When will the Yanks sign Robertson? Yikes.
Sayonara
On the other hand all of us should hope that nothing happens to Ruth Ginsburg--the tiny but strong Justice who just had a stent put in. she already has had both pancreatic cancer and colo-rectal cancer. If any of us think the Republicans have blocked everything, watch what happens if there is a vacancy on the Supreme Court.
I am sick and tired of Palestinian terrorism and Netanyahu recalcitrance. The attack in a synagogue killing 4 Rabbis was despicable but the ugly political culture in Israel is alarming as well. Yet another terrific article in the New Yorker by David Remnick about that culture leaves me feeling awfully pessimistic about any kind of stability let alone peace. And Hamas leaders applauded the murders in the synagogue--even after Abbas condemned them which means he cannot even control his own citizens. I'm pretty much out of words on this one.
I am also out of words regarding Ferguson, Missouri. It felt as if we were back in the 60's but without any leaders on the ground. First of all, how can there be a police force in a predominantly black community that has no black police officers. Did they miss the class on diversity? Second, to paraphrase Jeffrey Toobin, what fool decided to announce the decision at night when (hello) it is dark and much more difficult to manage rioters than during daytime. Third, the politicians who brought in the National Guard BEFORE the decision almost guaranteed that something would happen. Finally, to be fair, it is very nearly impossible to get a jury to convict or indict a police officer when they have testified it was a life or death situation. Just a recipe for combustion and that's what we got.
[Just saw a tape of an NFL game played yesterday in St. Louis. Five of the St. Louis Ram black players came out of the dressing room and onto the field with arms raised as if they were being arrested. A terrific piece of public theater especially when it turns out these 5 and other teammates have been in Ferguson all month working with kids. But of course, the police have been offended and want punishment. Hasn't there been enough of that?]
The casino bill was not overturned so I was wrong on that one. But the one in nearby Everett is 5 years away from opening. I actually don't care a bit about it nor do I care about the Olympics though if somehow Boston gets them, I'm outta here for a prolonged vacation.
Two other excellent articles: One in the Globe about a hockey coach who decided not to get a colonoscopy and now has end of life cancer (by Kevin Dupont). Only big time fools decide against them. Second article in last week's New Yorker about Angela Merkel basically arguing that she is the most powerful woman in the world.
SPORTSTALK
The son of "He of the Ancient Friendship" is coordinating the Pan Am games for the city of Toronto. A monumental task and one which will allow all venues to be re-used. The Pats loss yesterday was tough especially the first half. Gronk has to make that catch in the end zone in the second half and the defense forced 4 field goals which should have been enough. I worry about San Diego and a let down. They did have a great run.
When will the Yanks sign Robertson? Yikes.
Sayonara
Saturday, November 15, 2014
EVEN NATE SILVER BLEW IT
I was following my man Nate on his website ("538") and he even underestimated the Republican tidal wave. I have more anger than I know what to do with and don't exactly know who to focus on or where to start. I will say that watching Jon Stewart has helped. His mind is nearly as twisted as mine and he is brighter. It continues to occur to me that there are more of them than there are of me--and that is very scary. So here goes:
--Every Democrat ran away from Obama and made sure he did not appear in their state. They ran away from the Affordable Care Act, immigration, the economy, and anything remotely progressive. I am not, however, blind to Obama's passivity. He needed a good PR person or a big kick in the ass. There were loads of things he could point to (troop reductions, the Affordable Care Act, the economy considering what he got handed to him 6 years ago). But no, he was quiet and decided to go and hide and he did get the ass kicking just not the one he expected.
--Now he has two months before the senate turns dangerously rightward. I am hoping he picks fights every day with Boehner (he who has a perpetual tan) and that good ole boy Mitch. Make executive decisions and judicial appointments. Because once those Republicans take over the Senate there will be nothing he will get for two years. I want the Republicans to fight him on immigration and see if that helps them in 2016.
--The economy did not matter--hatred mattered and most of it was abut Obama. And in my paranoid though process, no one can convince me that there is not still an issue of where he was born and the color of his skin.
--Good news though--Scottie got kicked way down into the gutter up there in NH. Jeanne Shaheen took care of him and now he actually has to look for work. Screw him--maybe move to Vermont and take on Bernie??
--I do love Elizabeth Warren--she is just terrific and I hope to hell she does not run for President--she will lose badly and is much more fun in the Senate.
--Two articles: One sent to me and appearing in Salon recommending that the President welcome efforts to impeach him. Seems like they might try anyhow so he should just open up his arms and let them come after him. The second article was in the New Yorker and was about Hilary and her possible run in 2016. She will have competition which is ok but no one should think it will be an easy ride for her.
Avoid the recent Hadassah magazine unless you want to hear a bunch of crap about how Sheldon Adelson's wife is a wonderful person or you wish to get blinded by the size of the diamond she manages to stick out in front of her. Don't ask me about why I read that crappy mag.
Then we have the two guys on the plane back to Boston from Toronto. Strangers in the night who talked for the full 90 minutes and would not shut up. By the way Toronto has an in city airport closer to downtown than Logan is to downtown Boston. And you get free snacks and beverages in the waiting lounge. Awful good spending time with someone you have known for 60 odd years.
The Supremes continue to let lower court rulings stand on abortion and same sex marriage. And the crazy fucking righties keep pushing them to make a hard and fast decision. I am not sure what I prefer.
Should I care that the comet lander bounced 3 times. This from an article in the Globe. I think I couldn't care less.
SPORTS TALK
--Remember these names: Sequin, Kessel, Thornton. Yeah they got Hamilton but nothing much else after getting rid of those 3. Two of them are leading the league in goals. The Bruins on the other hand have to hope Rask stands on his head and holds teams to one or two goals because THEY CANNOT PUT THE PUCK IN THE NET.
--Mr. Brady and the boys really smoked Denver. Methinks the Colts will be tougher
Sayonara
--Every Democrat ran away from Obama and made sure he did not appear in their state. They ran away from the Affordable Care Act, immigration, the economy, and anything remotely progressive. I am not, however, blind to Obama's passivity. He needed a good PR person or a big kick in the ass. There were loads of things he could point to (troop reductions, the Affordable Care Act, the economy considering what he got handed to him 6 years ago). But no, he was quiet and decided to go and hide and he did get the ass kicking just not the one he expected.
--Now he has two months before the senate turns dangerously rightward. I am hoping he picks fights every day with Boehner (he who has a perpetual tan) and that good ole boy Mitch. Make executive decisions and judicial appointments. Because once those Republicans take over the Senate there will be nothing he will get for two years. I want the Republicans to fight him on immigration and see if that helps them in 2016.
--The economy did not matter--hatred mattered and most of it was abut Obama. And in my paranoid though process, no one can convince me that there is not still an issue of where he was born and the color of his skin.
--Good news though--Scottie got kicked way down into the gutter up there in NH. Jeanne Shaheen took care of him and now he actually has to look for work. Screw him--maybe move to Vermont and take on Bernie??
--I do love Elizabeth Warren--she is just terrific and I hope to hell she does not run for President--she will lose badly and is much more fun in the Senate.
--Two articles: One sent to me and appearing in Salon recommending that the President welcome efforts to impeach him. Seems like they might try anyhow so he should just open up his arms and let them come after him. The second article was in the New Yorker and was about Hilary and her possible run in 2016. She will have competition which is ok but no one should think it will be an easy ride for her.
Avoid the recent Hadassah magazine unless you want to hear a bunch of crap about how Sheldon Adelson's wife is a wonderful person or you wish to get blinded by the size of the diamond she manages to stick out in front of her. Don't ask me about why I read that crappy mag.
Then we have the two guys on the plane back to Boston from Toronto. Strangers in the night who talked for the full 90 minutes and would not shut up. By the way Toronto has an in city airport closer to downtown than Logan is to downtown Boston. And you get free snacks and beverages in the waiting lounge. Awful good spending time with someone you have known for 60 odd years.
The Supremes continue to let lower court rulings stand on abortion and same sex marriage. And the crazy fucking righties keep pushing them to make a hard and fast decision. I am not sure what I prefer.
Should I care that the comet lander bounced 3 times. This from an article in the Globe. I think I couldn't care less.
SPORTS TALK
--Remember these names: Sequin, Kessel, Thornton. Yeah they got Hamilton but nothing much else after getting rid of those 3. Two of them are leading the league in goals. The Bruins on the other hand have to hope Rask stands on his head and holds teams to one or two goals because THEY CANNOT PUT THE PUCK IN THE NET.
--Mr. Brady and the boys really smoked Denver. Methinks the Colts will be tougher
Sayonara
Thursday, October 30, 2014
YO--IF YOU WANT BALANCED REPORTING, YOU CAME TO THE WRONG PLACE
If it is balance you want, read the Globe and learn the following: Target is opening a new store near Fenway Park. The Globe had a more or less positive article about the commitment of Target to an urban neighborhood . Then they searched high and low and found (wonders of wonders) a naysayer and a BU professor to boot. He's not sure it will succeed because the store actually opens up on the second floor--not street level. They could not just leave it alone; had to throw water on it. That neighborhood and the North Station neighborhood are about to explode in terms of development. That professor can go screw himself and in 5 years, he will be wishing he could afford to live in the Fenway (and don't even start on me about gentrification which I know is a real issue). There are not two sides to every story in this screed. All the Globe seems to care about in a one sided way are those poor animals and the Catholic Church--I of course think those are two items that definitely need balance.
Speaking of items, here are some more:
-Item: Put the gloves, winter hats, and winter coats away. It is way too early though I do understand if you don't want to wear light colors. It is only autumn and I don't care if there are a few flakes here on the weekend. A flake does not a winter make (!).
-Item: The Supremes avoided any ugly showdowns on abortion and gay marriage and let lower court decisions stand. That means a majority of states now allow same sex marriage and allow abortions. Of course, some states are defying the court and should be kicked to the curb. The usual suspects.
-Item:Mass General wants to expand and open a hospital in China. Good for them--maybe they can also open one in Turkmenistan next. They are getting the shit kicked out of them here because they claim they will save money if they get bigger. Highly unlikely and not proven anywhere. The corporation that owns MGH eased out its leader because of this nonsense--he will take a one million dollar pay cut and run Partners in Health. Hope he can handle Haiti better than he handled the doctors in his MGH job.
-Item: Because of those fanatic Republicans blocking the nomination, we have no Surgeon General. And they also don't like the idea of an Ebola Czar. Anybody think one of them or both might have been helpful if not thoughtful about this Ebola thingy. They need to be kicked to the gutter--forget the curb. Too much hysteria from too many non-health professionals. Putting politics right into the operating rooms.
Item: My main man Nate Silver (538 website) is predicting the Republicans will control the Senate which is really dreary news. On a brighter note, he is also predicting that Scottie will lose in NH. Don't know if the gutter has much room left but I think I will try to squeeze Scottie in.
-Item: Will hold my nose and vote for Coakley for Governor but I care more about NH.
-Item: Netanyahu is pushing more settlements and these will be in East Jerusalem. He just does not give a shit and seems to get away with it.
-Item: The Turks have allowed about 250 Kurdish fighters to cross their border on their way to Syria. Bless their hearts. Meanwhile their own soldiers literally continue to watch the war through fences. They should be embarrassed at their inaction while half the world is bombing those ISIS crazies.
-Item: I want all of you to rest easy--my social security will rise 1.7% in January. Too late for some really big Xmas or Hanukkah gifts; but maybe I can now get a muffin or two.
Just learned that our former Mayor (Menino) has passed away. Guy retired about a year ago and then this ugly cancer. Grab the time you have and live it up. Who knows how good he was--but the streets were plowed and the potholes fixed. Could not understand one word he said.
SPORTS TALK
--Don't you wish you had Seguin and Thornton on your team. And some defense men who didn't cough up the puck right in front of the net. They better play close to .500 until the big boys are back.
--Cannot read too much into the Celtics victory last night but they did look good and very athletic. Still out rebounded.
--Just hope the Pats do not get blown out Sunday. Manning has looked kind of terrific.
Sayonara
Speaking of items, here are some more:
-Item: Put the gloves, winter hats, and winter coats away. It is way too early though I do understand if you don't want to wear light colors. It is only autumn and I don't care if there are a few flakes here on the weekend. A flake does not a winter make (!).
-Item: The Supremes avoided any ugly showdowns on abortion and gay marriage and let lower court decisions stand. That means a majority of states now allow same sex marriage and allow abortions. Of course, some states are defying the court and should be kicked to the curb. The usual suspects.
-Item:Mass General wants to expand and open a hospital in China. Good for them--maybe they can also open one in Turkmenistan next. They are getting the shit kicked out of them here because they claim they will save money if they get bigger. Highly unlikely and not proven anywhere. The corporation that owns MGH eased out its leader because of this nonsense--he will take a one million dollar pay cut and run Partners in Health. Hope he can handle Haiti better than he handled the doctors in his MGH job.
-Item: Because of those fanatic Republicans blocking the nomination, we have no Surgeon General. And they also don't like the idea of an Ebola Czar. Anybody think one of them or both might have been helpful if not thoughtful about this Ebola thingy. They need to be kicked to the gutter--forget the curb. Too much hysteria from too many non-health professionals. Putting politics right into the operating rooms.
Item: My main man Nate Silver (538 website) is predicting the Republicans will control the Senate which is really dreary news. On a brighter note, he is also predicting that Scottie will lose in NH. Don't know if the gutter has much room left but I think I will try to squeeze Scottie in.
-Item: Will hold my nose and vote for Coakley for Governor but I care more about NH.
-Item: Netanyahu is pushing more settlements and these will be in East Jerusalem. He just does not give a shit and seems to get away with it.
-Item: The Turks have allowed about 250 Kurdish fighters to cross their border on their way to Syria. Bless their hearts. Meanwhile their own soldiers literally continue to watch the war through fences. They should be embarrassed at their inaction while half the world is bombing those ISIS crazies.
-Item: I want all of you to rest easy--my social security will rise 1.7% in January. Too late for some really big Xmas or Hanukkah gifts; but maybe I can now get a muffin or two.
Just learned that our former Mayor (Menino) has passed away. Guy retired about a year ago and then this ugly cancer. Grab the time you have and live it up. Who knows how good he was--but the streets were plowed and the potholes fixed. Could not understand one word he said.
SPORTS TALK
--Don't you wish you had Seguin and Thornton on your team. And some defense men who didn't cough up the puck right in front of the net. They better play close to .500 until the big boys are back.
--Cannot read too much into the Celtics victory last night but they did look good and very athletic. Still out rebounded.
--Just hope the Pats do not get blown out Sunday. Manning has looked kind of terrific.
Sayonara
Thursday, October 16, 2014
DAMN THE TORPEDOES, FULL SPEED AHEAD
So here we go. And speaking of speed, let's begin with Boston traffic. It sucks and speed is not the operational adjective. I get it that construction has to happen before the wet cold winter arrives. I get it that the roads and bridges need fixing. I do not get why these projects occur during rush hour. We are now a one car family and on some days I take Barbara to work in Waltham--maybe, as the crow flies, it is 10 miles. Why does it take nearly 45 minutes each way? Because the roads are totally messed up, the towns have allowed the construction to begin at 8 in the morning, and the assigned police are just watching and sipping coffee.
Our slow as a turtle Gaming Commission neglected to discover that the winning bid for the Boston casino included land purchased from a known member of the "Mafia". Missed that but managed to kill horse racing and took three years to do it. I am feeling a bit better that the override will fail mostly due to the construction jobs it will create and because everyone in Western Mass. will want downtown Springfield to survive. But the Commission is a joke and now say they want to broker some kind of deal to keep horse racing alive some place--a day late and way more that a dollar short.
The election is less than a month away and I have thrown in the towel--the Dems will not control the Senate. Which probably means the final two years of Obama's presidency will be a total stalemate. No immigration reform, an attempt to repeal Obamacare, every effort made to limit anything Obama wants, and god forbid if one of the Supremes steps aside. Yikes. And if you say, "its about the economy stupid", you are wrong. Because, considering the mess he inherited, Obama has really salvaged the economy. Unemployment is under 6% and thanks to energy efficiencies and the North Dakota boom, I paid under $3 a gallon for gas. Not enough for those haters out there.
The Turks are NATO members and want to be part of the EU--but they don't want to dip their military toes into the battle to confront ISIS. So, literally, their soldiers watch the current battle on the other side of a fence separating Turkey from Syria. There will be retributions somewhere down the line if they continue to sit on the sidelines. Meanwhile those medieval fanatics are about to behead another person.
I barely understand the Ebola crisis--but I know this--Bill Gates gave $50 million to help in the fight against the spread but a lot of those African countries cannot even use the money since they have no infrastructure that can manage it. I will say they better stop sending these patients to hospitals ill prepared to deal with them.
Speaking of nurses, though, can someone tell me why nurses at Brigham and Women's in Boston can choose not to get vaccinated against the flu and other contagious illnesses? It is now a union bargaining issue. I mean they are fucking nurses and they don believe in inoculation because of some screwed up sense of the unproven negatives. Bargain my health away if I am an inpatient there?
I want to end on a positive note. We saw Richard Blanco at a reading last week. He is the Cuban American gay man from Maine who happens also to be a poet. He was the guy who read his poetry at Obama's inauguration in 2012. He was wonderful in person and I promptly went to my library list and ordered up all the stuff he has written. Just inspiring--especially when he talks about the town of Bethel where he lives now. Loved him.
SPORTSTALK
It has finally gotten through my thick skull--those sports talk shows are not really about sports; they are simply entertainment pretending to be about sports. And if there is no sports news, they make up issues like Brady and Belichik hate each other which they have created out of thin air. Yikes, it took me long enough.
And Michigan sucks losing to Rutgers and barely beating Penn State. They will lose to both OSU and MSU and Brady Hoke will be kicked to the curb.
If there really is a monsoon tonight, the Pats will struggle but the Jets are so bad, they still should win.
Sayonara.
Our slow as a turtle Gaming Commission neglected to discover that the winning bid for the Boston casino included land purchased from a known member of the "Mafia". Missed that but managed to kill horse racing and took three years to do it. I am feeling a bit better that the override will fail mostly due to the construction jobs it will create and because everyone in Western Mass. will want downtown Springfield to survive. But the Commission is a joke and now say they want to broker some kind of deal to keep horse racing alive some place--a day late and way more that a dollar short.
The election is less than a month away and I have thrown in the towel--the Dems will not control the Senate. Which probably means the final two years of Obama's presidency will be a total stalemate. No immigration reform, an attempt to repeal Obamacare, every effort made to limit anything Obama wants, and god forbid if one of the Supremes steps aside. Yikes. And if you say, "its about the economy stupid", you are wrong. Because, considering the mess he inherited, Obama has really salvaged the economy. Unemployment is under 6% and thanks to energy efficiencies and the North Dakota boom, I paid under $3 a gallon for gas. Not enough for those haters out there.
The Turks are NATO members and want to be part of the EU--but they don't want to dip their military toes into the battle to confront ISIS. So, literally, their soldiers watch the current battle on the other side of a fence separating Turkey from Syria. There will be retributions somewhere down the line if they continue to sit on the sidelines. Meanwhile those medieval fanatics are about to behead another person.
I barely understand the Ebola crisis--but I know this--Bill Gates gave $50 million to help in the fight against the spread but a lot of those African countries cannot even use the money since they have no infrastructure that can manage it. I will say they better stop sending these patients to hospitals ill prepared to deal with them.
Speaking of nurses, though, can someone tell me why nurses at Brigham and Women's in Boston can choose not to get vaccinated against the flu and other contagious illnesses? It is now a union bargaining issue. I mean they are fucking nurses and they don believe in inoculation because of some screwed up sense of the unproven negatives. Bargain my health away if I am an inpatient there?
I want to end on a positive note. We saw Richard Blanco at a reading last week. He is the Cuban American gay man from Maine who happens also to be a poet. He was the guy who read his poetry at Obama's inauguration in 2012. He was wonderful in person and I promptly went to my library list and ordered up all the stuff he has written. Just inspiring--especially when he talks about the town of Bethel where he lives now. Loved him.
SPORTSTALK
It has finally gotten through my thick skull--those sports talk shows are not really about sports; they are simply entertainment pretending to be about sports. And if there is no sports news, they make up issues like Brady and Belichik hate each other which they have created out of thin air. Yikes, it took me long enough.
And Michigan sucks losing to Rutgers and barely beating Penn State. They will lose to both OSU and MSU and Brady Hoke will be kicked to the curb.
If there really is a monsoon tonight, the Pats will struggle but the Jets are so bad, they still should win.
Sayonara.
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